Basics of Hypokalemia

hypokalemiais when there is a low concentration of potassium in the blood. Usually potassium levels are between 3.5-5.0. 95% of the body's potassium is found inside our cells. The name of Hypokalemia comes from three things. Hypo means low, kal means kalium, and emia means in the blood. Mild hypokalemia usually does not have many symptoms besides slight rises in blood pressure. With more serious cases of the disease some symptoms are muscles weakness muscle cramps and constipation. In cases with these symptoms the condensation levels are between 2.5-3. A very sever case would be less the 2.0 condensation level. Some symptoms of this would be With more severe hypokalaemia, flaccid paralysis, hyporeflexia. and tetany may result. The Kidneys help keep potassium at the correct levels. Healthy kidneys take excess potassium out of the urine to keep it at a normal level. A good balanced diet will also help keep your potassium levels at a healthy level.

Causes of Hypokalemia (or loss of potassium)

-Vomiting
-Prednisone
-Laxative use
-Medication effects
-Transcellular shift such as insulin

Hypokalemia on a molecular level

Potassium is an important mineral element that helps keep fluids balanced in the body to keep your muscles and nerves working properly. It is also a source of energy for the human body. Basically what is happening on a molecular level of hypokalemia is genetic mutations in CACNA1S and SCN4A genes on a chromosome that brings instructions for a calcium channel protein in skeletal muscle fibers. If the chromosome doesnt bring the instructions to the calcium fast enough then the muscles cant contract. These instructions make protiens and things process is a big part of where all the energy comes from making muscles comes from. A normal body with normal energy is able to have all of these muscles contract because they have enough energy. Atoms with a positive charge are what make these muscles work. People with hypokalemia don't have very many of the positive atoms. Altered channels of the CACNA1S AND SCN4A genes can not transfer the information, so the muscles don't get the correct message, making them not tense up which makes you feel like you have absolutely no energy. Skeletal muscle starts to become imune to insulin potassium even in the absence of changes in muscle cell sodium pump expression. This causes all the weakness and fatigue that comes from the disease.

Sypmtoms and Causes

Getting random muscle cramps very frequently feeling very weak and cramping are the three main sypmtoms of hypokalemia. Constipation is another common symptoms of hypokalemia. some of the causes of having this disease would be a loss of potassium in urine. Drinking a lot of pop can lead it certain cases of hypokalemia. Heavy potassium losses come from things like diarrhea or some surgical procedures. All of these things deal with some type of potassium being lost.

Treatment

The best treatment for this disease is being able to keep a balanced diet. Being healthy is the best treatment for hypokalemia. The best things to eat are any fruits and green vegetables. They are filled with potassium and other nutrients that your body needs in order to be considered healthy. There are potassium supplements out there but sometimes that is not always going to cure it. For very serious cases of hypokalemia doctors use sodium chrloride. The thing about that is it increases the heart rate to an unsafe level so doctors have to monitor the patient very carfully. All these things sound very easy but there are many side effects that could lead to other things that you wouldnt want to happen.